Having decided to proceed with your operation you will require an anaesthetic. This can vary from a local anaesthetic with or without sedation, twilight anaesthesia, epidural or general anaesthesia.

Local anaesthetic

 

Suitable for most small operations such as ear surgery, upper blepharoplasty, scar revision or mole excision. The local anaesthetic is injected into the area to be operated on. There is initial pain with the injection but none after a few minutes and during the operation. Mild pressure sensations may be felt.

Sedation

 

For more involved procedures,intravenous (IV) sedation may be added to the local anaesthesia. The sedation provides complete amnesia during the procedure and the recovery is rapid. This is commonly referred to as "twilight " anaesthesia. Useful for procedures that may require general anaesthesia but patient would like to avoid, or for local anaesthesia in a very anxious patient.

Epidural

 

May be beneficial for surgery below the waist line, and will usually be used with IV sedation.

General

 

For most major procedures a general anaesthetic will be required. You will be completely asleep and the anaesthetist then controls your breathing and blood pressure etc. With modern anaesthesia and monitoring the risks of major complications under general anaesthesia are very small; about 1 in 500,000.

The Consultant Anaesthetist will wish to see you for a pre-operative assessment and to take note of your relevant medical history and examine you. At this time you should indicate whether you have had any medical problems that may affect your suitability for general anaesthetic, and let them know of any medication that you take, allergic reactions and whether or not you smoke.

Ensure that you are having your procedure in an accredited hospital. Hospitals or clinics that are not accredited may not have all the safety monitoring at hand, or have the trained staff for your immediate post-operative care.

If you are on regular medication, except in specific circumstances it is important that you continue with any prescribed treatment. For most procedures it is advisable to avoid taking analgesics such as aspirin, ibuprofen, indomethacin, which can cause excessive bruising post-operatively, 2 weeks prior to surgery and for 2 weeks following the operation. Please stop taking Vitamin E one week before your operation.

If you have any crowned teeth or bridges, the anaesthetist will need to know for your safety and to avoid damage.

Fasting is normally required for 6 hours prior to your operation. However, clear fluids can usually be taken up to 2 hours before operation.

Excessive alcohol consumption before and after your operation can cause bleeding. Please ensure that you are well hydrated prior to surgery by drinking plenty of water the day before.